August 12, 2016

FUNdraising Friday Champion Highlight

Armour Transport has been supporting the Truck Convoy since we began in 2012. Not only did they participate, one of their employees John Norris became a champion for the cause. He went above and beyond to make sure his company supported the event by backing the drivers, but also he was a strong advocate for our athletes. John always encouraged the drivers to participate at the best level they could – fundraising, participating and taking athletes in the truck with them if they were able. As you can see by the smile, it was a partnersjohn edward and athletehip our athletes certainly were proud of.

 

However, as things often do, a change was coming. John took a different role within the company, and that left a hole in our champion network. However, that would not deter John. This year he began his journey to once again find us a new company role model.
In Paula Wentzell he found just that! Paula participated in the convoy in 2014 raised a total of $806.00 to help support our athletes and had an amazing day with her trucker buddy Matt “I had such an amazing day when I participated in 2014. It was so much fun, and my athlete was a great joy to host”, says Paula.

Paula Wentzell Armour

Paula will now take the wheel to help lead Team Armour on the 5th anniversary event on September 24th in Dartmouth. While we know John’s heart will always be with us, and he continues to work from the shadows, we thank Paula for helping to raise money for her team and our athletes.

The top fundraising team has the honor of receiving a banner to display at their place of work, and the honor of following behind the lead truck and our sponsors in the convoy as well as some great incentives for the drivers.

We have big dreams for our athletes and their future. This event is helping us to make them a reality. Learn more about Special Olympics.

August 5, 2016

When the Red, White and Blue are friendly

Many of the convoy family in Nova Scotia know him by name – Leonard Wilson (or Lennie as we call him) and the proud truck he drives for TDR Transportation out of Halifax. Lennie makes a daily trek down the South Shore of Nova Scotia everyday with his rig – White Lightening. For Lennie, his job and his truck are two of his great passions in life.

Last year when he had the opportunity to combine them both to earn lead truck was one of his career highlights. Tremendous efforts were put into doing the best he could to help out the athletes of Nova Scotia. Earning the Lead Truck banner was just a perk to doing what he thought was a good thing for his community and a population that is very dear to him.

Lennie keeps in touch with Special Olympics all year long. We love hearing his stories and following him and White Lightning on their journey. So, when he messaged us about something this past fall, we knew we wanted to share it with our audience, because fostering relationships is what we do.

Lenny and White Lightening were making their way along their daily route when suddenly the red and blue were flashing in his mirrors. “ White Lightening – what the heck? We aren’t doing anything wrong.” Within seconds they were pulled over on the side of the road as Lennie was searching for all his papers saying a few words under his breath about being stopped on his daily trek. As most can relate, any time the lights flash and you have to pull over, it is not usually because they want to say “Hi”.

Well this day it was.

The Officer who pulled him over wanted nothing more than to shake his hand and meet him. “ The infamous Lennie! I have seen you on the road several times throughout the past few months and today I had the opportunity to pull you over. I wanted to just say congratulations on your efforts with the Truck Convoy last year. What you are doing to help the industry and the athletes is amazing” He then checked his papers and waved him goodbye wishing him well on his journey.

Managing almost 200 trucks on some of the busiest roads in your city doesn’t come without challenges. In reviewing the route last year, there were over 100 identified intersections or cross roads to manage during the three hour drive through Dartmouth. With careful planning over several months that involved the lead traffic control team from Halifax Regional Police, the RCMP and Vehicle Compliance, our Nova Scotia Provincial Law Enforcement Director pulled out all the stops with the NS Chiefs of Police to enlist as much volunteer support they could to make the 2015 Big Rigs, Big Hearts, Big Results convoy our best yet. Our thanks to officers from New Glasgow, Kentville, Truro, Cape Breton and DND Military Police who’s volunteerism also made the event possible.

What do our Law Enforcement Partners think about being involved?

HRP & DND Police
Superintendent Robin McNeil of the Halifax Regional Police (also a provincial Special Olympics Nova Scotia Board Member) says “The Truck Convoy is an amazing event for our officers to support. The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) as a worldwide movement is engaged to empower our athletes in a meaningful and transformative way. Similarly, the trucking industry, drivers of big rigs with big hearts who play a vital role in our economy, and they are a great partner coming together in such a visual way to support Special Olympics.”

Jayson Gay, Motor Vehicle Officer, Vehicle Compliance, says this “When the convoy first started, I said we need to be a part of this! The Special Olympics is very near and dear to my heart and I have been a part of the convoy since it began. The woman and men of the Department of Transportation come together with LETR group to support the cause by way of ensuring the convoy has safe travels. I see many industry professionals before the convoy event and they always ask, “you coming again this year?” This is a great opportunity to meet, talk, ask questions and get to know each other on a more personal level and best of all, to work together for a truly worthwhile cause.”

Vehicle Compliance 1

For our spectators along the route who witnessed the flashing of the red and blue leading the convoy, or safely blocking the intersections, as well as the motorist we encounter, we know everyone is thankful for their efforts. On this day, we are all friends, all working together for a greater good – our community and the many things we do to make it great. So this year when you pull into the convoy and are greeted by our friends from the broad LETR community – give them a friendly “Hi”, because on September 24th there are not colors or uniforms – just friends.

Join RCMP and athleteus on September 24th as we celebrate 5 years of partnerships and the impact the trucking industry has had on our athletes.

Register, volunteer, wave or watch.

Donate

Be a part of the excitement.

June 18, 2016

An Anniversary of a Special Kind

“Go in a truck they said.  It will be fun they said.”  What they didn’t say was that it would be an amazing showmanship of pride and excitement like no other.  as you drive 50 km in a convoy of over 170 #BigRig trucks all while allowing you to witness hundreds of people lining the streets with signs, lawn chairs and children waving so excitingly that you can’t help but put your arm out the window and wave back like you were five years old all over again you can’t help but smile.

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As the Event Planner you don’t often get to experience the essence of what you are organizing because you are always busy making sure your guests are having a great time, your sponsors are happy and that your volunteers know their role in making your event a success.  Well in September of 2015, thanks to Gary Hunt from Nova Scotia Trucking Safety Association, this event planner got to witness what makes the Truck Convoy for Nova Scotia, #BigRigs, #BigHearts, #BigResults the best and largest fundraising convoy in Canada.

On September 24th, we will celebrate the 5th anniversary of this event in Nova Scotia thanks to the support of partners like Irving Oil, Diesel Spec, DND Shearwater, East Coast International, Hull Transport, Nova Truck Centres, Wolseley Canada, Fisher Transport; Leading Edge Excavation and Trucking, Clearwater, MacLeod Lorway Insurance Group, Work Authority, NSTSA, THRSC, Savlatore Insurance and Subway and our fabulous media sponsors CTV, Auto and Trucking Atlantic, Chrome and Steele Radio, Canadian Trucking Magazine, and Seaside FM.

As part of our 5th year celebrations we are pleased to welcome Mr @DarrellWard from Ice Road Truckers as our convoy marshal to the event.   Darrell Ward’s television career skyrocketed when he filmed a truck driving stunt on Montana’s Beartooth Pass in 2010. Since then, he has become a star and fan favorite of the History Channel’s TV show, Ice Road Truckers. With 35 years’ experience of extreme driving conditions, Darrell is a fearless and tireless driver who can conquer any load on any road. Holding the World’s Record for driving the longest ice road is just one of his many accomplishments. Darrell also regularly works alongside the United States Forestry Department in quenching forest fires, and routinely works in North Dakota performing environmental cleanups.D_WARD_ (8 of 10)-2

 

Participants of this year’s event can once again look forward to another day of showing off their #BigRigs “ We are excited to be planning some special 5th year anniversary surprises to our day to thank and acknowledge those who have helped us reach this milestone.  Being a part of the World’s Largest Truck Convoy family has brought an event to our city that showcases the true spirit of the trucking industry to our community.  We have helped to forge better relationships with drivers and the Law Enforcement community, and we have helped people without a disability to accept those with a disability like they have never done before. All while helping to build stronger communities”, says Anne Marie Shannon, Director of Events and Communications, Special Olympics Nova Scotia.

But the true heart of the event is our drivers and their companies.  Each year they continue to show their support for the event with polished trucks, smiling children, and pledges.  All for a common goal of helping athletes with an intellectual disability compete in sport.  Over the past four years we have raised in excess of $180,000 that has had a direct impact on what we have been able to accomplish.  This past March we sent a team of athletes and coaches to compete at National Games in NFLD resulting in five athletes and one coach being selected to Team Canada in Austria in 2017.  Beyond sport, we are proud to be leaders in advocacy for people with a disability, supporters of leadership with our Athlete Leadership Program and resources for healthy, happy lifestyles from the inside out.  If you know someone who is aged 2 and up that could benefit from being a part of a wonderful organization, please look us up.

Truckers register to be part of the convoy and raise pledges in support of Special Olympic athletes. Pledging is the key to the fundraising arm of this event.  Last year 39 of the 172 drivers collected over almost $27,000 in pledges.  This year we are hoping to see that number rise. If every driver collected $500 in pledges, tBluewaterhat number could rise to $100,000.  To help encourage drives to collect pledges we will be offering some great incentives as well as one large grand prize that will be the envy of all the drivers.  We encourage you to think about collecting pledges so you can have a chance to win! Our congratulations to Leonard Wilson from TDR Transport who won lead truck last year by collecting the most pledges as well as Team Bluewater for winning top team fundraiser.  Top team will receive a private visit this year from our Convoy Marshal Darrel Ward prior to the event.

Registration is now open and lots of exciting things are happening on our Facebook group. To obtain your registration forms, please visit our website at  https://www.truckconvoyns.ca/drive/register/ or call our office at (902) 429-2266 x 2.